How’s this for an opening statement show-stopper? Representing Grupo Modelo in a dispute centering on whether hard seltzer is beer, Sean O’Shea of Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft had one of his colleagues pour out three cans: One, a can of Corona Extra poured pale yellow and foamy. The next, a can of Modelo, poured slightly darker, also foamy. The third, a can of Corona Hard Seltzer, poured clear and fizzy. 

O’Shea, according to the trial transcript, lingered for a moment on the hard seltzer product. “This, ladies and gentlemen, is not made with hops; it’s not made with malt. It’s sugar water. It’s alcoholic sugar water,” O’Shea said.